Fit4Life

2018 Fit4Life Challenges

Challenge #3: Travel through Italy.

Come take a Tour of Italy with us…..

You might not get to go in person, but why let that stop you from having an Italian adventure this summer?!

This is an individual challenge where each person tracks the minutes of activity they do each day (per the minimum requirement of at least 20 minutes of movement daily, at least 5 days per week; Sun – Sat) which converts to miles that moves you across a predetermined Tour of Italy. Not only will you be challenged to move your body this summer, but you’ll get to experience a fun-filled route that includes stops along some of the most well-known cities in Italy, as well as some of the lesser known towns, which are just as wondrous!

This challenge spans the 2018 Summer (July 1st – September 29th), for a total of 13 weeks.

Each individual MUST participate in no less than 11 of the 13 weeks by using the electronic tracking system HERE.

Each individual who participates and meets the minimum participation requirements will be eligible for the random draw of prizes at the end of the challenge. There will be 1 winner for each of the 3 regions (NW, King Co, & SW – based on your primary work site location), as well as 1 GRAND PRIZE winner who completes the entire Tour the fastest!

Logging data into the system can happen at any time during the challenge retroactively (NOTE: this could impact your GRAND PRIZE eligibility). You must still meet the 11 of 13 weeks participation in order to be eligible for prizes.

Activity to mileage conversion will be as follows:

Every 20 minutes of activity = 40 miles on the Tour of Italy Route

Good luck and…….

Challenge #2: Big Spring Clean

Challenge #2: Big Spring Clean ended on 5/31/2018. Staff were challenged and encouraged to send before and after pictures of spring projects they had completed.

Check out the spectacular spring transformations below:

Challenge #1: 10 Year Anniversary!

Challenge #1: Our first challenge in 2018 was to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Fit4Life! We had a t-shirt logo design contest, and the winner was Cindy McNabb. Be watching for our newly designed t-shirts!

TIPS FOR SUMMER

Keep hydrated – Heat can be deadly and is much more lethal in the very young and the very old. Staying well hydrated helps to reduce heat illness and it is also very important to acclimate to hot environments. It does not have to be raining to use your umbrella. Make a fashion statement! Protect your eyes from UV damage and cool with your shades.

Use broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used daily, liberally, and re-applied often! One personal favorite of the Fit4Life team is “Antheliosis 60 melt in sunscreen milk,” as it acts not only as a broad spectrum sunscreen but as an illuminizer. Many women apply sunscreen only to their face but forget their neck and décolletage area. These areas are simply an extension of your face, and by not protecting your skin you are at higher risk of skin cancer and also aging yourself before your time. Sunscreen helps keep your skin looking radiant, healthy and with a lit from within glow. Speaking of glowing, pregnant women are most at risk for developing blotchy pigment on face and forehead called melasma. One Fit4Life member recalls, “I realized I had developed this during my first pregnancy when someone told me, during one of those dogs days of summer, to ‘wipe the dirt off my forehead.’ It wasn’t dirt.” Melasma, can be treated but will come back with any UV light exposure.

Don’t skip your exercise routine. You may need to change where you exercise and avoid the peak heat and humidity, but it is important to keep exercise as part of your regular routine.

Be vigilant about mosquitoes. This is especially true at dawn and dusk! The second case of the potentially deadly West Nile encephalitis was just reported in Cleveland. Clear out standing water near your home, use insect repellent, fix broken screens, and spray your clothes (NOT skin) with permethrin.

Know how to identify poison ivy and poison sumac. See your physician if rash is extensive or involves the face. Do not apply Benadryl or Caladryl to the skin. Applying plain calamine and cool compresses is fine, but topical Benadryl can be a skin sensitizer. If you require prednisone therapy from your physician to treat the itchy dermatitis, likely you will need to take for 3 weeks, not 7 days.

Always observe water safety rules. Do not swim alone. Bring and wear life-jackets on boats for all water activities. Boating and drinking alcohol don’t mix.

Don’t forget to read a summer sizzler. Reading is great for the brain!

Fit4Life Wellness Team

The Fit4Life Wellness Team is comprised of staff from across the CCS/CHS system and meets once a month. The Team’s vision uses the input of all employees to create a wellness program that serves their needs. We strongly encourage you to bring your voice to the table. Be assured that you will be heard.

Mission

To encourage employees to find their place of balance in work and in life by providing access to resources, information, and support for healthy life choices.

Vision

Our vision is to positively influence the way we work and live by promoting a healthy balance in all we do. We envision all aspects of our work and mission being enriched by a balanced approach to work and a balanced approach to life.

We seek to find ways to invest in, support and be faithful stewards of one of our most valuable resources: our CCS/CHS employees.

Values

We seek to develop, implement, and support all initiatives based on compassion, dignity, and diversity. In valuing our diverse workforce and the uniqueness of each individual, we understand that wellness is defined by the individual and not the organization.

Wellness Champions

What does it mean to be a Wellness Champion?

A Wellness Champion can be:

An On-going Point Person – An enthusiastic person who has an interest in assisting with promoting the Fit4Life program. A Wellness Champion could assist in communicating Wellness program information to staff, answering questions, or organize a regional group of employees interested in developing their own regional wellness events. A Wellness Champion can also organize an on-going event, such as a walking club, book club or a yoga class.

A Point Person for a limited number or one-time event – Anyone interested in promoting and organizing a one-time event for the region or system.

If you have an interest in being involved in the Fit4Life Wellness program, but don’t think that the definitions above don’t quite fit, give your local Wellness Representative a call and let’s see if we can make it work!

See the list of system-wide contacts on the left side of our website for Fit4Life member names in your local area.

If you are interested in becoming a Wellness Champion or participating in any aspect of Fit4Life, please contact your local Wellness Team Representative:

Links of Interest from Staff

These websites and links are intended as informational resources. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information in any of these links. Please see your health care provider if you have any specific medical concerns.